RBR: Puss in Boots

I doubt there's anyone out there who was actually clamoring to see the origin story of Puss in Boots, the supporting character from the Shrek franchise, and yet here it is. In this latest computer animated adventure from Dreamworks, we see how Puss became the suave swashbuckler that we've come to know him to be. Along the way, we also run into some new characters including Humpty Dumpty as Puss' childhood friend (voiced by Zack Galifianakis) and Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) who plays a romatic foil for Puss. Despite the complete lack of necessity for this film, I couldn't help but find myself still enjoying it. The film provides a number of solid laughs without relying on cheap pop culture jokes like the later Shrek films did. There were also a lot of smaller touches that the animators did here (facial expressions, body movements) that added some depth to the storytelling. I found myself compelled to see where the story would go and what would happened to the characters. I do wish they would have expanded the central plot of the film. At a short runtime of 90 minutes, there was too much time spent on flashbacks and other ancillary business that, while enjoyable, came off as filler. This certainly works well as a rental. I would have felt ripped off spending money to see this in the theater, but it felt right on the small screen. In fact, I could easily see them turning this into a Saturday morning cartoon franchise instead of continuing on and making more films. If you've been a fan of the Shrek films, but opted to skip this one when it was in theaters, go ahead and check it out now. Adults and kids alike will find something entertaining here. This film may not be purr-fect, but it's a solid piece of animated fun. Rating: ****

Fall Movie Preview (November)

PUSS IN BOOTS (November 4)
Plot: Way before he ever met Shrek, the legendary Puss In Boots goes on a heroic journey, teaming up with mastermind Humpty Dumpty and the street-savvy Kitty Softpaws to steal the famed Goose that lays the Golden Eggs. It's the adventure of nine lifetimes!

Quick thoughts: This could go one of two ways. Either it'll continue to water down the original Shrek formula or it could provide a fresh start that's needed to rejuvinate some of these characters. The fact that they've added Zack Galifianakis to the voice cast certainly couldn't hurt.


J. EDGAR (November 11)
Plot: "J. Edgar" explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio) was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.

Quick thoughts: For so long, Oscar gold has eluded Leonardo DiCaprio despite a string of strong performances. That may end this year as he's playing the lead in this biopic of the former head of the FBI. Adding to his chances are the fact that the film is being directed Clint Eastwood who knows a thing or two about capturing the gold statue.


TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY (November 18)
Plot: The feature adaptation of John Le Carre's seminal cold war best-seller. Set in the aftermath of the cold war, the thriller tells the tale of a spy-hunt within the highest echelons of the British Secret Intelligence Service.

Quick thoughts: This is the type of pot-boiler spy films that I really enjoy. Tons of intrigue and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Gary Oldman is always terrific in supporting roles like playing Sirius Black in Harry Potter or Commissioner Gordon in the recent Batman films, so I'm excited to see him take on a more leading role this time out. This film should provide an excellent alternative for adults from the rest of the garbage that is being released that weekend.


THE DESCENDANTS (November 23)
Plot: From Alexander Payne, the creator of the Oscar-winning "Sideways", set in Hawaii, "The Descendants" is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney) an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family's land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.

Quick thoughts: Director Alexander Payne always seems to create great films that find that right balance of drama and comedy. His film, Election, remains one of my favorites to this day. So seeing him team up with George Clooney definitely has aroused my curiosity. I doubt many people will rush out to see this when it gets released around Thanksgiving, but if it manages to earn buzz come awards season more and more people will likely flock to this film.


THE MUPPETS (November 23)
Plot: On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways.

Quick thoughts: I know I've plugged this new film a lot with all the viral videos they've made for it, but hopefully you also share my enthusiasm for seeing Kermit and the gang back on the big screen. Unlike their last venture onto the big screen, Muppets in Space, I have high hopes for this given the care and passion that Jason Segal has expressed for doing this film right. If you've seen what he does with puppets in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, then you know that this franchise is in very good hands. Look for this to be a big hit during the holiday season.

OTHER POSSIBLE FILMS OF INTEREST
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (November 4)
Tower Heist (November 4)
Jack and Jill (November 11)
The Artist (November 23)